Human Clinical Studies and Trials
Cordyceps extract inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of Th2 cells and reduces the expression of related cytokines by down regulating GST-3mRNA and upregulating FOXP3 mRNA and relieves chronic allergic inflammation by increasing IL-10 in the blood of children with chronic asthma.
In one study, 60 asthmatic patients were split into two groups. Thirty used an inhaler, the rest used cordyceps capsules. IgE, soluble ICAM-1, IL-4, and MMP-9 were all lowered in the cordyceps group (though not as much as in those using an inhaler). Another study at the Beijing Medical University with 50 asthma patients found that the symptoms in the group treated with cordyceps were reduced by 81 percent in five days versus 61 percent over nine days in the pharmaceutical group.
There have been a number of other trials of the herb in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and bronchitis that have not been translated into English. The herb was effective for all these conditions; it is especially indicated for COPD.
Sixty-five renal dialysis patients were split into two groups. The 33 in the second group took cordyceps (330 mg) and ginkgo (230 mg) 3x daily for 3months. At the end of that period microinflammation, a problem in renal hemodialysis, was significantly lowered in the herb group. Levels of hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), IL-6, and TNF-α were all much lower.
In one study with 51 patients suffering chronic renal failure, the use of 3–5 grams/day of cordyceps significantly improved renal function and increased immune function. Another study with 57 people suffering gentamicin-induced renal damage split the subjects into two groups, one receiving cordyceps, the other conventional pharmaceuticals. After six days those in the cordyceps group had recovered 89 percent of their kidney function versus 45 percent in the other group.
Sixty-one people with lupus nephritis were split into two groups. Onereceived 2–4 grams of cordyceps (before meals) and 600 mg of artemisinin(after meals) 3x daily for 3 years. They were observed for an additional fiveyears after treatment. Twenty-six had no recurrence, four had mild, and for one the herbs did not work.
A randomized trial of cordyceps in the treatment of 21 aged patients(divided into two groups) found that cordyceps ameliorated aminoglycosid enephrotoxicity.
Cordyceps sinensis was used in the long-term treatment of renal transplant patients. Long-term survival was no different in the treated and untreated groups, however the incidence of complication was significantly lower in the cordyceps group. The cordyceps group needed much lowe rdoses of cyclosporine A and serum levels of IL-10 in the cordyceps group were much higher. Another renal transplant study with 200 transplant patients showed the same outcomes.
Three separate studies with a combined patient population of 756 men and women who were experiencing reduced sex drive found that after 40days 65 percent of those on cordyceps reported improved libido and performance versus 24 percent of those taking a placebo. In another study with elderly patients complaining of decreased libido, impotence, and other sexual malfunctions 3 grams/day of cordyceps was administered for 40 days. Increased sperm survival time, increased sperm count, and decreased numbers of malformed sperm were all found in the majority of males. Improvements in hypoleukorrhagia, menoxenia, and sex drive were reported in a majority of the women.
There have been a number of clinical studies of the herb in cancer treatment, along with chemo and radiation. In one study of 50 patients, tumors reduced in 23. In another, after two months, most patients taking cordyceps reported improved subjective symptoms. White blood cell counts stayed at 3,000/mm3 or higher. The use of cordyceps during radiation and chemo has been found to counteract the negative immune effects of those procedures.
There have been a number of Chinese studies on using the herb fortreating heart conditions, liver problems, hypercholesterolemia, and male/female sexual dysfunction but few of them have been translated intoEnglish. There have also been a few studying exercise tolerance and improvement, e.g., 20 adults aged 50 to 75, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed improved exercise performance. However, the main studies in the U.S. have been on exercise tolerance with young athletes and they all showed no improvement. The dosages were extremely low.
The best overall look at the herb, its history, and its medical uses isprobably John Holliday and Matt Cleaver, On the Trail of the Yak: Ancient Cordyceps in the Modern World (June 2004). I have only found it online and downloaded it from the website of Earthpulse Press(
www.earthpulse.com).
Important: To be effective for anything, cordyceps must be dosed appropriately. That means a minimum dose of 3 grams daily but the best results occur with 6 grams daily as the baseline, especially in acute conditions. The renal studies usually used from 3 to 4.5 grams. This dose range can also work for lung problems, except in truly acute conditions when it should be 6 to 9 grams. In mycoplasma treatment it should be 6 to 9 grams per day as well.
